Location: Paradise Divide Area
Date of Observation: 02/26/2020
Name: Zach Kinler
Aspect: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West, West, North West
Elevation: 9,000- 11,000
Avalanches:
One D2 wind slab on a cross-loaded west facing gully on Gothic. Fairly quiet on north and east aspects down the Ruby Range.
Weather: Cold start well below zero but once out of the valley bottom temps warmed into the upper 20s. Calm, clear conditions gave way to passing clouds, increased NW wind and very light flurries by 14:00 as a disturbance passed through.
Snowpack: At Elkton Study Plot HS: 160 cm. Most concerning layer is the 2/3 MFcr with 1.5 mm rounding facets below. No results on CT or ECT however a PST score of 45/100 END indicates the lingering possibility of propagation if failure could be initiated. Highly variable surfaces on the windward side of the compass as many features have been scoured leaving deposits nearby in gullies, inset features and behind ribs and trees.
Elkton Study Plot
Gothic west side with a recent avalanche and evidence of recent winds.